Privacy

Employee Privacy Employee privacy is something that most employees think they deserve and most employers believe they need to regulate. Employers want to be sure their employees are doing a good job, but employees do not want to believe their every move is being tracked down and recorded. New technologies are making it relatively easy to monitor employees’ actions; whether it is on the internet, e-mail, or telephone. Privacy Rights Clearinghouse (2009), stated “Over 80% of employers disclose their monitoring practices to employees” (¶ 5). This paper will demonstrate the laws and regulations on monitoring, the privacy policies of AT&T, and assumptions and affects of employees. What is being monitored' Companies are using video surveillance, telephone conversation recording, and reviewing e-mail and internet usage. Employees may believe that any sense of privacy has been destroyed (Gruber, n.d.). Cornell (2001), stated, “The computer, e-mail system, and internet access are company property. The computer has the right to monitor all aspects including, but not limited to, monitoring sites visited, reviewing material downloaded, and reviewing e-mail sent and received” (¶ 10). Now this is regardless of what system the employee sends and receives messages from; as long as the equipment is company owned then the company has the right to monitor them. Further, the company can install new technology that can filter e-mail instead reading every single one. The filter can identify e-mails containing any illegal or restricted material such as pornographic or abusive. Secondly, the company can restrict access to such web sites such as pornographic sites to prevent misuse of the internet. Companies are now using software to monitor how long the computer stays idle to track how long the employee has been away from the computer. Employers can and do use software for the computer that gives them the ability to see what is stored in the employees’ hard disks and computer or on the screen. Internet usage such as electronic mail and web-surfing are also monitored. E-mail is not private. The company owns any electronic mail (e-mail), and the company owns the system and is able to review any and all of the material. Messages sent within the company and those e-mails that are sent from the terminal to another company or from another company to the employee can be subject to monitoring by the employer (Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, 2009). This does include any web-based e-mail accounts such as Hotmail and Yahoo; not to mention any instant messages. How can a company monitor' A company can administer their right to monitor and to control e-mail, and internet use against any and all employees’ right to privacy. The company can do this by making the employees aware of the rules, regulations, and company policies with the respect to use of office e-mail and internet is advance. Handout of company policies and proper communication of rules and regulations as well as informing of any legal implications will help the company in protecting itself. Protecting the company from any acts of employees creates more awareness among the employees about the laws that exist, policies, and implications of those policies. AT&T Privacy Policies AT&T gives each employee at the time of his or her employment starts and each year thereafter two hours to read the company’s code of business conduct. The company then has each employee sign and date that they have read and understood the policy. AT&T is a union shop and the union employees do not have to sign the form but, that has no regard on the ramifications if the policy is not followed. AT&T’s policy is strict and to the point. The policy is summarized to maintain a safe and orderly work environment. AT&T reserves the right to search, to the extent allowed by local law without notice, employee desks, computer files, company mail, voice mail, e-mail, lockers, company equipment (such as vehicles, computers, PDAs, cellular phones, cameras, flash drives, etc) and all vehicles located on company premises (AT&T Code of Business Conduct, 2009). Unless prohibited by law, employees have no expectation of privacy regarding access to or use of company premises or equipment. While access to the internet and corporate e-mail system is primarily for business use, while limited, occasional personal use is not prohibited, internet or e-mail should never include or interfere with an employee’s job performance in any significant way or forward non-business-related material such as chain letters, games, jokes, video clips, music or photos. If any employee believes that an employee is violating this policy then one can contact Asset Protection (AT&T Code of Business Conduct, 2009). Why do companies monitor' Companies are regulating employees’ internet, e-mail, and telephone usage to protect their best interests. Companies cannot all offense and inappropriate material to be viewed or spread using company equipment. Some non-business-related e-mail and internet web sites can contain harmful viruses that could affect the company’s equipment or allow for someone to hack into the system. AT&T has millions of customer’s private information stored on employees’ computer hard drives and programs. If someone is to access the wrong site or to e-mail information outside the company; the company is at risk. AT&T cannot take those risks. As this paper has outlined, companies are monitoring internet usage, e-mail, and telephone conversations at an increasing rate. Employees may not like these policies; however, as long as they are informed that the any and all equipment owned by the company can and will be monitored; the employees have to abide by it. Rules and regulations are set up to protect the company’s best interest. Companies do this by regulating the information coming and going from each company piece of equipment. AT&T policy states that the employees do not have any privacy while using company equipment. References Cornell, C. (2001). It’s not an invasion of privacy at the office. Austin Business Journal, 20, 47. p. B9. Retrieved on July 25, 2009 from General OneFile via Gale: http://find.galegroup.com/itx/start.do'prodId=ITOF Gruber, J. (n.d.). RFID and workplace privacy. Retrieved on July 26, 2009 from, http://www.workrights.org/issue_electronic/RFIDWorkplacePrivacy.html Privacy Rights Clearinghouse. (2009). Employee monitoring: is there privacy in the workplace' Retrieved on July 25, 2009 from, http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs7-work.htm#1